I enjoy the ability to make GST filings online. However, if it was a requirement that I use an accounting package to make these electronic filings I would be strongly opposed, unless there was a barebones package made available free from the IRD.

Or should I just buy Xero stock now?

Taxpayer92 - understand your concerns but there is an aspect of the Government needing to force change here, the concept being that the time savings that can be made through e-filing are significantly greater than the cost of any software.

That said I would imagine that the IRD would provide some simple tools to meet the minimum reporting requirements and that these would be free (ish)

I would still like to see alternative options to the online channel, at least until the whole country has decent broadband access and as mentioned above IRD can provide tools to meet all taxpayers needs?  

Why not give away a prototype - or reference - platform that would allow NZ businesses to do this. I like the idea of a web portal that would allow NZ businesses to manage their compliance. Systems integrators and vendors could then build around this for advanced users and introduce new functionality.

The answer in simple terms is yes.

The things that bug me now are:

- The online returns are not user friendly - you need to put too much information in. You know who I am, put that information in before I start and I can complete the return. A classic example of this is the GST return - the paper one you send me has all my details in it already.

- If I am in the online channel, keep me there - don't push me to paper or the phone line. Let me interact with you where I want to interact, not where you want me to

I decided today to try doing my return online. It was a very difficult process.

I am self-employed with one employee, and each month I fill out an IR345 plus the monthly schedule. I expected to find a page which displayed the same information and I could fill in the numbers - and avoid writing them twice as I currently do.

There appear to be separate requirements for PAYE, Kiwisaver deductions and Kiwisaver employer contributions.

The same is true for electronic payments. Having filled out the paper form again, I went to the bank to pay electronically. I have to make three separate payments as opposed to the one cheque I send you.

So you have substituted three separate pages, and three transactions, for one paper one. Doesn't look easier to me.

I have used the electronic filling ever since its started, its great. But if you make it mandatory how long will you give telecom to get broad band to everybody!! will you allow greater deprecation of computers and software?
 

I want to take the opportunity to comment on the filing of PAYE returns monthly. Although I was originally advised that our Non profit organisation would be coded as irregular payer it never happened. In fact I went overseas and reminders were sent about non furnishing of returns. There has been no opportunnity to indicate this once a year payer status  through  the online service. We make one payment at the end of each year by way of honorarium and one PAYE payment but I must login 11 times to file NIL returns which is obviously a waste of my time. I also recieve 12 IR345 forms and 12 Return addresed envelopes - waste of resources/postage.

There must be some discretion to allow "employers" the ability to pre set when they will be making PAYE liable payments and request an IR345 on demand.

If the ability to request an irregular status already exists then it is an indictment on the web site that I could not find it.